Discussion Starter: Kids Play With Fire in Online Dare

In The News

Lexington, Ky.—In a disturbing and dangerous trend, teenagers are receiving serious burns while trying to prove their bravery. “Fire challenge” videos posted on YouTube and other social-media sites show young people putting accelerant on their skin, lighting themselves on fire, and then trying to quickly extinguish the flames.

Authorities across the country are warning about the disfiguring and deadly consequences of this fire challenge. Several teenagers have received serious burns while trying the stunt.

“What they don’t show at the end of the videos is the consequences of doing this, getting second- and third-degree burns,” said fire captain Chris Harrod.

When 16-year-old Fernando Valencia did the fire challenge, he burned his waist and neck. He posted a video of those burns to warn his peers. Fernando said he’d watched other people fail the challenge and thought he could “last longer under the flame.” He added, “I can’t really say nothing else besides it was a dumb idea.”

A 15-year-old Kentucky boy who’s being treated for burn wounds said he “wasn’t thinking, really” when he lit himself on fire.

In an editorial, Andres Jauregui wrote that it’s “time to start thinking really, really hard.” He asked, “How does this not go wrong?”

Burn-unit psychologist Brad Jackson said burn injuries are “incredibly painful and emotionally challenging. There is a tremendous risk of infection.”

As for why young people would subject themselves to a challenge involving flames, Jackson said, “There are a lot of reasons. Sometimes it’s curiosity. Sometimes it’s more about thrill-seeking. Sometimes it’s really a cry for help.”